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Reprinted from The Sun/Homer Glen, December 7, 2005
One early afternoon last week, I waited patiently for the refrigerator repair man to come and repair the leak in our refrigerator.
This would be the third visit by the refrigerator repair man in the last six weeks to repair the same leak. I won't say what store the refrigerator is from, just that it was essential that they get it right this time.
After he promised the second time that he'd fixed it for sure, we came home just before thanksgiving to a small pond in our basement beneath the kitchen. They promised to send someone "really good at refrigerators" this time.
After filling in the new guy about the history of the leak and his associate's failure to fix it, he sneered at me with one of those "I'm a technician and you're an idiot homeowner" looks and said with a straight face: "You got a dog here, Ace?"
"Yes, we do. And don't call me Ace."
"What kind?"
"A pit bull mix. Why?"
"Well," he drawled, "I've seen it several times in my six years on the job. No one's home, Fido decides to teach himself how to get a drink out of the fridge's water tap on the door."
"Is that a fact?"
"Yup. What you got here, Ace, is what we in the business call 'a smart dog,' and as far as I'm concerned that's what caused your ..."
"Um, tell you what, Skippy, you open your little tool chest there and figure out where the leak is coming from, and I'll forget about calling your boss."
What kind of a fool did he take me for? How many kinds are there? But seriously, I knew there was no way my dog Oreo would have been responsible for the water on the floor. After all, she was adopted from our very own TLC Animal Shelter here in Homer Glen, so everyone knows how smart she is. She would have used a glass.
Yes, TLC animals are very smart, lovable and looking for good homes. Except for the smart part, they are sort of like Emily the cat from Appleton, Wis., who wandered away from a perfectly good home and, through a series of unfortunate events, wound up in a laminating factory in France. Emily has since been returned to her owner, but no word if the French had her laminated.
Which reminds me of the four Siberian chipmunks currently on the lam in southern England; they were among 30 that pulled off a daring midnight escape from an animal park in Wellington. Twenty-six were rounded up, but the four Siberian chipmunks continue to elude authorities in what one official calls "a real threat to our native voles."
Nothing screams tragedy like an endangered native vole. Siberian chipmunks look exactly like North American chipmunks except for the little bottles of vodka in their pouches.
But we have our own needs right here; no need to go to France or England. And that's where you, dear readers, come in.
I mentioned my friends at the TLC Animal Shelter. The truth is, if you love animals (even Wellington voles), I want you to help me help TLC. For more than 30 years, this no-kill shelter has provided a temporary home for thousands of neglected, abused and abandoned dogs and cats. In addition, they have provided or arranged for countless vaccinations and surgeries.
When we saw the story about a little pup found abandoned on a farm on a subzero January day eight years ago, we had to see her for ourselves. In addition to her frostbite, she had been attacked by other dogs. TLC honestly didn't think she'd make it, but except for a few bald patches on her ears, Oreo recovered and is doing fine, leading a quite pampered life.
There are lots of others like Oreo at TLC waiting for an opportunity to lead a pampered life, as well. What keeps the shelter going is their devotion and belief that loving families are out there; it is only a matter of time before they stop in to adopt.
In the meantime, TLC requires the generosity of donations from us for their very survival. Of course, cash is always king and will never be refused, but they also have immediate day-to-day needs that you can help satisfy. Here are but a few: spray bathroom cleaner, 33-gallon garbage cans, paper towels, dog and cat wipes and spray-on or dry shampoos, dog chews, dog collars and sturdy leashes.
Tell you what: Why don't you ask for yourselves when you come to TLC for their annual Holiday Open House for the Animals from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Dec. 10? You can bring some stocking stuffers like biscuits, treats, chews or toys and enjoy free refreshments, raffle prizes and Christmas caroling by the TLC Best Buddies.
TLC Animal Shelter is at 13016 W. 151st St., between Bell and Parker roads in Homer Glen. For information or other ways to help, call (708) 301-1594.
Questions or comments? Please contact Dave via davedrown@comcast.net.
Note from Webmistress: Dave promised to send in a photo of his dog, Oreo, adopted from TLC. I'll post it here.